<p>I have seen several posts in blogs on this topic where people have said something like this: “Of course Edwards shouldn’t drop out of the race. People don’t quit their jobs because their spouses have cancer. Would you expect President Bush to resign if Laura had metastatic breast cancer?”</p>
<p>But the Bush family’s children are grown. Two of the Edwards children are not. I think that makes a difference.</p>
<p>Well, on the other hand, in most families the spouse would not stop working, since they need the money. I know that when we were kids and my dad had cancer, my mom worked dang hard so we didn’t lose our house. And even harder after he died.</p>
<p>Obviously, the Edwards could afford for him not to keep working, but my point is that for a spouse to continue working, even though kids are involved, is not an anomaly. Quitting would be the anomaly.</p>
<p>Many “politicians” have to make decisions that are right for their personal situation. A recent example (that ID should be familiar with) is the newly elected Governor of Massachusetts. His wife was recently diagnosed, and hospitalized, with severe depression. Since he is a public figure, the information about her health became very public. Mr. Patrick made the decision to allegedly “reduce” the time he will work on weekends and evenings. Did he decide to quit his job as Governor and take care of his wife full time? Absolutely not.</p>
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<p>You’ll give them a “pass.” </p>
<p>Unbelievable.</p>
<p>I’m not wild about Edwards, but I don’t think his life should stop. Even if (heaven forbid) his wife dies, I would hope that he would go on living in whatever manner he chooses.</p>
<p>I would do this, and I would do that, but fortunately I can thank my lucky stars that I am not in this situation and I will not judge someone else who has to deal with this.</p>
<p>She’s come to terms with her own mortality because she’s the mother of a child who died.
What do you want them to do, sit on the couch and stare at each other?
Their world of “normal” is politics, and campaigning.Anothers normal might be punching a 9 to 5 clock.Would you have that person stop working?</p>
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<p>I would want them to spend some time with those 6 and 8 year old kids while they still have a mother.</p>
<p>I sure wouldn’t want my husband jetting around the country if I were ill.</p>
<p>I’d like him to stay home and do some pro bono legal work while spending time with me and the kids.</p>
<p>But that’s not my call, and much as I dislike the guy, I’d be willing to bet that he’s doing this for his wife. If that’s her wish, and he has the stamina to do it-- more power to him.</p>
<p>Interesteddad:</p>
<p>Someone else must be logging in under your name and posting when you’re not looking. </p>
<p>The same person who displays such generosity of spirit in encouraging and supporting Swarthmore wannabees simply could not be responsible, I’m convinced, for posts that are as staggeringly presumptuous as the last one.</p>
<p>Why? It’s an opinion forum. The Edwards are public figures by their own continued choice - it doesn’t get any more public than running for President.</p>
<p>The question was, “what do you want them to do.”. I answered the question. Is there something wrong or uncaring about worrying about 6 and 8 year old children who are unlikely to have a mother when they become teenagers and whose father could afford to spend some time with them? </p>
<p>Maybe some of ya’ll missed the doctor’s press conference. This is Stage IV metasticized cancer that has spread to bones, lung, and perhaps liver. It is incurable with a five-year survivability rate of 16%.</p>
<p>Sorry if you feel that worrying about the children is cold. Sorry if I don’t join in the chorus of praise for the continued campaign. I don’t think it warrants praise.</p>
<p>If I had a problem, but still felt o.k., I’d want my husband to go to work. The last thing I’d want would be for people to sit around asking me how I felt all the time. I’m sure that she’ll let him know when it’s time for him to stay home. In the meantime, I don’t think it’s anyone’s business. jmho.</p>
<p>Interesteddad:</p>
<p>OK, now I get it. </p>
<p>This is not about judging John Edwards and his wife, who have already endured the crushing tragedy of the death of a teenaged son and are now facing - on top of all that - one of the worst crises that a couple could ever face. </p>
<p>It’s about concern for their children.</p>
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<p>The two little kids were my immediate thought when Edwards said that the campaign would continue full speed ahead.</p>
<p>Hmmmmm . . . with all due respect, methinks that the governing principle here may be this:</p>
<p>The world would be a much, much better place if only other people were more like me.</p>
<p>What governing principle? It’s an opinion based on some knowledge, through the literature, of what running for President entails.</p>
<p>Seriously, I don’t really care much about what John Edwards does. His campaign will end soon enough, with or without family tragedy. Probably within the next 30 to 60 days.</p>
<p>I agree with sjmom: this is the Edwards’ decision, and not our business. </p>
<p>There are no cut-and-dried decisions here. But speaking as one (of the many) who have survived a rare and usually-terminal illness, for me one of the ways to keep on going, was to keep on going.</p>
<p>Of course it’s our business. He’s a candidate for President of the United States. One of the decisions that a candidate must make, when deciding to enter the race or continue a campaign, is putting his or her life on the table for public judgement.</p>
<p>Edwards said himself during Wednesday’s press conference on his wife’s health that we should judge him based on his decisions regarding this difficult time for his family.</p>
<p>The next thing you know, someone will be asking about what they eat for breakfast. Give these people a break – let them deal with it without all the commentary. I don’t agree that this is a matter for public judgement.</p>
<p>Re: ending his campaign within two months. Wanna bet? I think this makes him a contender. His next poll will be through the roof. Hillary must be gnashing her teeth.</p>